Acetylene-gas generator.



WILLIAM J. BAULIEU, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOJOHN D. CARPENTER, OF SAME PLACE.

ACETYLENE=GAS GEN ERATGR.

SPEGIIJICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 667,161, dated January29, 1901.

Application filed June 23, 1900- cerial No. 21,294. kNo model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. BAULIEU, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPortable Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to new and useful imre provements in portableacetylene-gas generators, and refers especially to the smaller types ofmachines of one or two burner capacity. These machines may be usedsimilar to a lamp for lighting separate or independent rooms of abuilding, or they may be used for stagework, as a street-light, and inmany other places.

It is the object of my invention t0 produce a compact water-feed machineof the above class which is simple in construction, convenient tooperate, and easily cleaned and recharged; further, to make it automaticin its feeding operations, and finally to secure an improved quality ofgas.

With the above objects in view my invention resides and consists in thenovel con struction and combination of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, upon whichcharacters of reference are used to designate the several parts thereof,and in which a central vertical cross-section of my complete generatingapparatus is shown.

Referring in detail to the characters of ref- 5 erence marked upon thedrawing, A indicates a cylindrical tank,of which E represents an innerwall therefor, forming an annular water-seal chamber C and an intergalcylindrical compartment D, as will be apparent 0 from the drawing.

E represents a bell, the depending flange of which is submerged in thewater seal C more or less, in accordance with the quantity of gascontained within said bell. To g the under side of this bell I attach apurifier F, which is formed of sheet metal, and is provided withperforations G in its bottom and an outlet-cock H in the top throughwhich the gas is fed to one or more burners, as may be desired. Thecompartment F, as will be seen, is packed with cotton or a similarmaterial in any suitable manner to form a straining and purifying devicefor the gas as it passes through said chamber for consumption.

In the bottom of the inner cylinder D, I arrange my carbid-pot I, whichis provided with suitable legs, as shown, and is encircled with anannular water seal J, which also serves to cool the carbid, as will beobvious. The carbid-pot is inclosed by a tubular body K, which containsa transverse partition L, as shown. The lower contracted extremity ofthe tube K is provided with perforations X and is submerged in the waterseal before mentioned. The upper end of this tube is of asomewhat-greater diameter than the bottom, and in consequence engagesthe inner wall D. To the partition L of this tube I attach avertically-disposed funnel M, which is surrounded with water for coolingpurposes. Beneath the exit or lower extremity of this funnel M is a on;N, which forms a water seal for said funnel, as will be seen. Thepurpose of this funnel and construction is to lead the water down ontothe carbid and also to prevent the passage of gas therethrough. Withinthe upper end of the tube K, I place a water-tank 0, having afilling-hole Q, and a handle P, by means of which it is lifted out forrefilling when exhausted or when the machine is to be recharged. Centralof this tank is a pipe T, forming a wall of an opening tl'ierethrough,and in it I arrange a spring U and a stem V. Surrounding the lower endof this pipe I provide the tank with a nipple R, having a water-exithole S and a vent S. To the lower end of the stem V, I attach a cap W,which normally covers the nipple and its openings, and in connectiontherewith it will be apparent that the action and purpose of the springis to hold the cap W up against the nozzle of the tank in a manner tocover the vent S and prevent the escape of water from said tank, andlikewise to cause the feeding of the water from said tank when the belldrops.

The operation of my machine is as follows: Beginning with the parts inthe position as shown in the drawing, it will be seen that the bell isslightly elevated by reason of a supply of gas therein. As this'gas isconsumed through cock H the bell gradually settles down into its seal,causing the bottom edge of the purifier to engage the valve-stem V in amanner to force the cap W away from the nozzle of the tank, affording avent through opening S and causinga flow of water through the opening Sinto the cup, from which it overflows into the funnel M, passing downthrough the same into the cup N, from which it runs over onto thecarbid. The gas rises from the earbid against the partition L and isdeflected down into the water seal J, Where it is washed and passedthrough perforations X of the tube, rising up from the water seal aroundthe outside of the cooling-tube K and emerging out at its extremity,(see arrow,) between it and the inner Wall E under the bell, thusraising the same from the stem V, the spring of which acts to cut offthe flow of water.

By reason of this construction it will he noted that an automaticwater-feed is afforded and that the same is fed in very small quantitiesto the carbid, thus generating a small percentage of gas at each feedingoperation.

The construction of the valves and feed mechanism of my device is suchthat the wateris entirely under control, and leakage from the tank isaccordingly prevented. It is furthermore true that with the constructionreferred to both the carbid and gas are kept cool and the generating ofsteam and moisture is avoided.

When it is desired to recharge or clean this machine, it is necessary,of course, to first remove the hell, with its purifier, then to lift outthe water-tank O by means of its handle, whereupon the cooling-tube Kcan be removed and the earbid-pot proper taken out, cleaned, refilledwith carbid of the desired quantity, and its water seal likewisereplaced. The several parts can then be replaced in their respectiveorder, whereupon the bell will naturally settle down upon the stem in amanner to generate a small quantity of gas, thus placing the machine inreadiness for lighting.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Lette s Patent, is-

1. In a portable acetylene-gas-generating apparatus, the combinationwith a tank and an expansible bell, of a carbid-holder having an annularWater-chamber, a tubular body seated in said water-chamberhavingsuitable perforations therethrough and a transverse partition, afunnel-like pipe mounted in said partition, with its outlet upon theunder side, a cup covering said outlet to form a waterfeed and gas-trap,a water-tank with means for automatically feeding water therefrom intothe funnel, as, and for the purpose set forth.

2. A portable gas-generator comprising a tank and bell, a tube fittedtherein and having a transverse partition, a carbid-pot with a waterseal inclosed by the lower end of said tube, a detachable water-tankseated in the upper end of the tube, a nipple on said tank having awater-exit and vent, a spring-actuated cap covering said nipple andprovided with a stem for engagement by the bell, a pipe arranged belowthe cap and leading to the carbid-pot, a water-feed and gas-trap forsaid pipe, substantially as described.

In a generator of the class described, the com biuation of acarbid-holder, a water-sealed tubular covering for the same, means topermit the gas to escape from said holder through said Water seal, awater-chamber in said tube above the carbid, a water-tank above saidchamber, means for automatically feeding water therefrom, a funnel toreceive said water and convey it to the'carbid-holder, a water seal forsaid funnel.

4. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with an annular tank,of a bell mounted therein, a cotton-packed purifier arranged beneathsaid bell, a carbid-pot located interior of said tank and provided withan annular water seal a tubular body seated in said water seal, awater-tank located in said tube and provided with a water-outlet andvent, a spring-actuated cap for closing said outlet and seal, a pipe forreceiving the water from said cap and conveying it to the carbidpot, anda Water seal for said pipe.

Signed atBi-idgeport, Fairfield county, Connecticut, this 19th day ofJune, 1900.

WILLIAM J. BAULIEU.

Witnesses:

C. M. NEWMAN, J. D. CARPENTER.

